Reflecting and Moving On

I'll admit it. Last year was a tough year for me as a teacher. I have spent the entire summer trying to "build a bridge and get over it" and I think I'm ready. One of the best parts about teaching is that every hour, every day, every year, you get to start over. Even when you think you're ready to give up some days, you dust yourself off and try again.

At the end of every year, I ask my students to reflect and give me some feedback I can use to make things better for the next year. This is my way of revealing the golden moments that sometimes get hidden under a layer of "dust." In my eagerness to pack up and close the book on last year, I didn't really look at their input until I started planning and preparing for a new group of students that will be arriving next week. Despite those challenges, we did accomplish a lot last year and there's much to be proud of.

Students noted their favorite projects were those where they really had to dig deep, think and create. Least favorites were projects where there were multiple revisions, or involved getting up in front of the class and presenting. Sorry future classes - we're still going to think deep and present to the class.

I asked students what they thought they'd remember for the rest of their life. Believe it or not, the things they don't typically like are what they'll remember most ...

• Close reading. Being able to "rip apart" text and write about it.
• Studying and writing poetry (spoken-word and sonnets) and using this form to express their own thoughts and emotions.
• Presenting in front of the class - building confidence and developing presentation skills.
• Just talking about things they cared about and explore what is most important in their life.*

*This means a lot to me as their teacher. I love getting to know my kids and I truly learn a lot from them.

Many of the things students were most proud of achieving were "soft skills" that are desperately needed in today's marketplace: being able to work in a group, getting up in front of the class and speaking, reading critically, finishing a book or a project, writing for various purposes, and learning to concentrate/read/write for extended blocks of time.

Here's a summary of some of the advice last year's students gave to this year's students - this is a great list and I think I'll post these this year ...

• Do quality work.
• Listen and pay attention.
• Be kind and respectful.
• Work hard and don't give up.
• If you really try and do your best, you'll learn a lot and have more fun.